Madagascar - Facts

Madagascar FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: Permission to enter must be applied for in advance of arrival from the Minister of Transport. See Clearance for details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: Check your Nationality requirements before applying to Madagascar as some countries are not permitted entry. Do not apply for an E-Visa as these won’t be accepted by the port authorities. See Immigration for more details. Where can I enter? Nosy Be is the most yacht-friendly port of entry. Click on "Explore Country" to see a list of main ports. Are fees high to enter by yacht? Entry fees total approx. $100 with 2 crew on board, but this excludes Health and Agency fees. See Fees for more details.
What security concerns should I know about? The overall crime rate in Madagascar is lower than in other African countries. See Security for more info.

Madagascar Facts for Sailors

• Madagascar is an island located in the western Indian Ocean. It lies off the east coast of Southern Africa and is located east of Mozambique, across the Mozambique Channel.
• Malagasy and French are the two official languages, but the former is more widely spoken. The population is about 25.5 million.
• The currency of the island is Malagasy Ariary (MGA). For details see General Info.
• Madagascar operates on East Africa Time (UTC +3).
• The country has a hot and subtropical climate with colder temperatures in the mountains. For specifics see the Weather section below.
• The most attractive ports and anchorages are on the northern tip of Madagascar, where Antsiranana (NE coast), formerly known as Diego Suarez, has a beautiful natural harbour. The old town has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with its mixed population of Malagasy, a melting pot of Indonesians, Malays, Arabs, Indians, Africans and Reunionese.
• Just opposite Antsiranana on the NW coast is the National Park of Nosy Hara which offers docking and repair facilities.
• Further down the NW coast is Madagascar's prime attraction, the picturesque island of Nosy-Be, now a thriving tourist resort.
• Nosy Boraha (Ile Sainte Marie) is worth visiting, it is close to Toamasina, the country's chief commercial harbour and main port of entry, on the Eastern coast of Madagascar. The latter is a good place to stop for yachts on passage to the Cape of Good Hope.
• Another interesting stop for southbound yachts is at Taolanaro, formerly Port Dauphin on the SE tip of the Island - the site of the first French settlement in the seventeenth century.
• The Scattered Islands, off the East of Madagascar and to the west in the Mozambique Channel, are French and under the jurisdiction of the Reunion Commissioner.
• Repair facilities are improving on the island at a number of locations. For more details of the yachting services available see Yachting Essentials.